Our paper aims to demonstrate that social structure has significant impact on the formation of interpersonal relations. We review and analyse the characteristics of ego-centric interpersonal networks of Hungarians based on data from nationally representative adult population surveys between the mid-1980’s up to 2015. We focus especially on core discussion networks, friendship ties and weak ties and analyse how the transition to market economy influenced interpersonal relationships. As expected, the large-scale social changes brought about by the transition changed interpersonal networks as well. During the first decade of the transition (in the 1990’s) one could not witness a significant change of personal networks, nonetheless the adaptation process was easier for people supported by strong, traditional family ties. Non-kin ties, especially friendships seem to gain significance at the expense of kin relationships. Overall, resources available through weak ties seem to be decreasing.

Our paper aims to demonstrate that social structure has significant impact on the formation of interpersonal relations. We review and analyse the characteristics of ego-centric interpersonal networks of Hungarians based on data from nationally representative adult population surveys between the mid-1980’s up to 2015. We focus especially on core discussion networks, friendship ties and weak ties and analyse how the transition to market economy influenced interpersonal relationships. As expected, the large-scale social changes brought about by the transition changed interpersonal networks as well. During the first decade of the transition (in the 1990’s) one could not witness a significant change of personal networks, nonetheless the adaptation process was easier for people supported by strong, traditional family ties. Non-kin ties, especially friendships seem to gain significance at the expense of kin relationships. Overall, resources available through weak ties seem to be decreasing.